How the Truth Was Told

Chapter Three

Sergeant stayed at the house for about twenty minutes explaining all of what Uncle Derik did. When Sergeant finally left he took Derik with him and left Ivan behind. Mom begins pacing as soon as Sergeant was out of the house. “Landyn, you need to listen to me,” Mom insists, “You need to stay away from people. No meeting new people. Understand me?”

“Mom, what has Elizabeth done to have you so freaked out?”

“That has nothing to do with you Landyn don’t worry about it.”

I sigh and walk away. There’s no way I’m getting it out of her no matter how I push her she won’t budge. She never has and probably never will. I head back to the porch and stare out at the grass. In the distance is Lakewood Forest. 

Growing up on earth might’ve sucked and everything, but I’m glad I grew up here instead of in the DHA on Careford. Being around Sergeant all the time would’ve been a living hell. Though I would’ve had Ivan to grow up with.

The thing is Layana and Layton wouldn’t have had anyone really. Layana likes to be different and isn’t the normal teenage girl, but not in being a DC. She doesn’t like the female population much. The only girl she hangs out with is Faith Carson, Jessi’s little sister. 

Faith is similar to Layana though, so that’s probably why. Faith and Layana hang out with a few of the boys in their grade. If you were to ask their whole grade who causes the most trouble. Faith Carson and Layana Martins would be the first two names you would hear. 

Layton, on the other hand, might be able to get along with the kids at DHA. Not to mention I already know how well she does with traveling. I do know that the schools on Careford last all seven days of the week and teach less than Earth schools. 

“Still wondering what it would’ve been like to grow up on Careford?” Ivan questions leaning against the railing looking out at the trees. 

“Have I ever stop wondering?” I chuckle. “That’s all I’ve ever thought of since I met you.”

“Well, works the same way with me,” Ivan mutters, “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to grow up on Earth.”

I look over at him shocked. I never expected that he would be wondering what it would be like to grow up here. He’s had it all. The new tech immediately, the new ideas for traveling, the founding of new dimensions, and even any of the news. They always tell him when things are happening and how they are happening. “Guess we both wonder what each other’s lives would’ve been like,” I respond looking into the trees. “Maybe we could someday end up figuring each other’s places out.”

Ivan looks up at him and sighs. “You know I could never do that. I’m next in line for running the DHA. I can’t mess around in other dimensions and expect to be respected. I can’t do anything. You’re able to be free and view the world. I was born into this life for the pure work of becoming the next governor of the DHA. I don’t have time for play.”

“Christ, Ivan, what’s happened to you. You used to be laid back. Looks like the DHA changed you and not for the better.”

“It’s going to do the same to you, asshole. It’s how that works. The rest of us just grew up sooner than you. I was put into this place because it’s my job. I’m the way I am because I have to. I do what I gotta do to be here. It’s my job to governor these worlds and it’s people and I plan to do just that.”

“Ivan, your dad is getting to your head. You know that this isn’t who you are. It’s just a matter if you change. You don’t want to run the DHA the same way your dad is running it right now. I know you don’t.”